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2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Trailblazer years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer are substantially higher than the model-year median of 87.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

899 reports with mileage · 182 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 627 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Exterior Lighting. Review the 101 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 93 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

56 crash reports31 fire reports47 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

38 reports
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49,500 miles · Nov 5, 2006
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

SPEEDOMETER STARTED ACTING ERRATICALLY. EITHER POSTS NO SPEED, OR SHOWS A SPEED THAT IS OBVIOUSLY NOT CORRECT. TURNING OFF CAR, AND RESTARTING CORRECTS THE PROBLEM FOR THE MOMENT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10172660

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2006
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT. WE COULD ONLY GO 10 MPH. THANKFULLY WE WERE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A FAULTY ACCELERATOR POSITION MODULE AND THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. LUCKY US WE ARE O…

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THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED OUT 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN REDUCED ENGINE POWER LIGHT. WE COULD ONLY GO 10 MPH. THANKFULLY WE WERE IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA AND NOT ON THE FREEWAY. DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS A FAULTY ACCELERATOR POSITION MODULE AND THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. LUCKY US WE ARE OVER IN MILES AND THIS IS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165252

30,000 miles · Mar 15, 2006
Air BagsVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HIT A GUARD RAIL THEN ROLLED OVER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, …

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD LOSE POWER AND STALL. THIS OCCURRED WITH NO WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND HIT A GUARD RAIL THEN ROLLED OVER. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THERE WAS A POLICE REPORT TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP, BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO INSPECTION FOR THESE PROBLEMS.

NHTSA ODI #10152760

55,000 miles · Dec 5, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

MY FIRST COMPLAINT CAME AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND MY WATER PUMP SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I GOT THAT FIXED AND THEN I STARTED HEARING A NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THIS IS. NOW I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE RPM AND SPEEDOMETER JUST JUMPING AND GOING OUT OF…

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MY FIRST COMPLAINT CAME AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND MY WATER PUMP SUDDENLY WENT OUT. I GOT THAT FIXED AND THEN I STARTED HEARING A NOISE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. WE STILL HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THIS IS. NOW I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE RPM AND SPEEDOMETER JUST JUMPING AND GOING OUT OF WHACK. I GOT IT FIXED IN LUMBERTON NC AT THE CHEVY DEALER AND BEFORE I GOT HOME THE SAME THING WAS HAPPENING AGAIN. I AM SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT BACK IN AGAIN AND THIS TIME THEY SAY THEY WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE GAUGE WHICH WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $350. THIS IS RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING I HAVE ONLY HAD THE VEHICLE A YEAR AND SOME MONTHS. I TALKED TO A FRIEND OF MINE WHICH HAD A GMC YUKON AND SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THE RPMS AND SPEEDOMETER. SHE FINALLY GOT RID OF HER AND SHE SAID SHE HAD THE SAME NOISE PROBLEM. I THINK THAT GMC SHOULD BE MADE TO CORRECT ALL THESE PROBLEMS AND NOT THE CONSUMER TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR IMPERFECTIONS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144425

27,793 miles · Jul 19, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control

DT: 2004 CHEVROLET, TRAIL BLAZER. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING IN SPEED WHEN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GMC, THEY …

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DT: 2004 CHEVROLET, TRAIL BLAZER. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT STOP THE VEHICLE FROM INCREASING IN SPEED WHEN GOING DOWN AN INCLINE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. WHEN THE CONSUMER CONTACTED GMC, THEY SAID THAT IT WAS NORMAL AND IT WAS DESIGNED THAT WAY TO SAVE FUEL. *AK GM ALSO INFORMED THE CONSUMER TO USE LOWER GEARS WHEN GOING DOWN HILL. THE MILEAGE WOULD STILL INCREASE WHEN IN THIRD GEAR. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10125638

9,465 miles · Dec 15, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

THIS COMPLAINT WAS SENT VIA E-MAIL. " I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, AWAITING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO CLEAR, I ACCELERATED TO GO THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT I HAD NO ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAD ENOUGH ROLLING POWER TO COAST THROUGH THE TURN AND GET TO THE S…

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THIS COMPLAINT WAS SENT VIA E-MAIL. " I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, AWAITING ONCOMING TRAFFIC TO CLEAR, I ACCELERATED TO GO THROUGH TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING BUT I HAD NO ACCELERATION. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAD ENOUGH ROLLING POWER TO COAST THROUGH THE TURN AND GET TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. I SHUT OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED A FEW SECONDS AND RESTARTED THE CAR. THE CAR STARTED RUNNING OKAY , BUT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. WE STOPPED AT A NEARBY GMC DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED. BY THE TIME WE GOT THERE THE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF. THE SERVICE MAN SAID IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE THE CAR BACK HOME , 170 MILES. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE ANALYSIS FROM THE ON BOARD COMPUTER INDICATED A MALFUNCTION WITH THE ACCELERATOR THROTTLE COMPONENT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10094955

Mileage unknown · Dec 3, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A BUCKING PROBLEM WHEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL OPTION. *BF THE FUEL SUPPLY SEEMED TO BE INTERMITTENT. CHEVROLET ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS THE NORMAL CONDITION. *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10105514

2,200 miles · Jul 11, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control

I HAVE A 2004 TRAIL BLAZER EXT. AT ABOUT 2200 MILES THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, AND WHEN I GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT IN, THEY TOLD ME, THAT IN FACT IT WASN'T AN ISSUE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SHORT IN THE TORQUE CONTROL CONVERTER SOLONOID WHICH WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THEY HAD A PART OV…

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I HAVE A 2004 TRAIL BLAZER EXT. AT ABOUT 2200 MILES THE CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING, AND WHEN I GOT AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE IT IN, THEY TOLD ME, THAT IN FACT IT WASN'T AN ISSUE WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL, THAT THERE HAD BEEN A SHORT IN THE TORQUE CONTROL CONVERTER SOLONOID WHICH WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE. THEY HAD A PART OVERNIGHTED TO ALDERMAN'S CHEVROLET, WHO FIXED IT QUICKLY AND MADE SURE I HAD A RENTAL WHILE IT WAS IN BEING FIXED, BUT A WEEK AND A HALF LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. I AM TAKING IT IN TOMORROW, BUT I AM AFRAID THERE IS GOING TO BE PERMANANT DAMAGE TO MY ENGINE BECAUSE THIS THING WHEN BROKEN AFFECTS THE SHIFTING OF THE ENGINE. I AM WONDERING IF I JUST GOT A LEMON OR IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES. IT ONLY HAS 3500 MILES ON IT, IT SHOULDN'T BE IN THE SHOP TWICE ALREADY FOR REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10080818

Official recalls

2

05V198000 · Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

May 5, 2005

ON CERTAIN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE DRIVER WISHING TO SIGNAL A TURN BY MOVING THE DIRECTIONAL SIGNAL LEVER, (UP OR DOWN) MAY CAUSE THE FRONT MARKER/TURN LIGHTS AND REAR TURN LIGHTS TO FLASH IN A MANNER SIMILAR TO HAZARD WARNING, RATHER THAN FLASHING ON THE DESIRED SIDE ONLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE DRIVER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO CLEARLY SIGNAL THEIR INTENTIONS TO TURN, CHANGE TRAVEL LANES, OR POTENTIALLY WARN OTHERS OF AN IMPAIRED VEHICLE OPERATING CONDITION INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SUSPECT FLASHER MODULES WITH A NEW FLASHER MODULE DESIGNED WITH SEALED RELAYS AND MORE DURABLE CONTACT MATERIAL INSIDE OF THE RELAYS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2005. ISUZU BEGAN MAILING OWNER LETTERS ON AUGUST 4, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, GMC AT 1-866-996-9463, ISUZU AT 1-800-255-6727, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, AND OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537.

04V527000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

Nov 1, 2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, VIBRATION AND HEAT MAY CAUSE THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP BULB TO LOOSEN IN ITS SOCKET. IF THIS OCCURS, THE BULB MAY FLICKER AND EVENTUALLY BECOME INOPERATIVE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION OF STOPPING TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES, AND AN INOPERATIVE REAR TURN SIGNAL LAMP WILL NOT CONVEY THE DRIVER'S INTENTION TO TURN TO DRIVERS IN FOLLOWING VEHICLES. BOTH OF THESE FAILURES CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TAIL LAMP/STOP LAMP ASSEMBLIES, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THEM. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 22, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT CHEVROLET AT 1-800-630-2438, OLDSMOBILE AT 1-800-630-6537, BUICK AT 1-866-608-8080, OR GMC AT 1-866-996-9463.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

RQ17002 · Loss Of Headlights

Opened Apr 24, 2017 · Closed Mar 29, 2021

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:headlights

The subject vehicles are model year (MY) 2002-2009 Chevrolet Trailblazer, GMC Envoy, 2004-2007 Buick Rainier, 2003-2008 Isuzu Ascender, 2005-2009 Saab 9-7X, 2002-2004 Oldsmobile Bravada, 2003-2006 Chevrolet SSR, 2005-2009 Buick Lacrosse, and 2006-2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. This scope includes the Trailblazer/Envoy variants: 2002-2006 Envoy XL/Trailblazer EXT and 2004-2005 Envoy XUV. The original scope of this investigation was expanded to include all vehicles equipped with the subject Headlight Driver Module (HDM). The focus of the investigation was to determine whether actions performed by General Motors adequately addressed any unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety in the subject vehicles concerning the headlights and the HDM that controls them.Under normal electrical load and environmental conditions, the HDM can overheat inside the Underhood Electrical Center (UEC). This can cause the module to fail and result in a simultaneous loss of both low beam headlights and both daytime running lights (DRLs), often with no warning or prior detectability to the driver. This failure can be intermittent or permanent. No other exterior lights are affected. High beams, turn signals, brake lights, and reverse lights are still operational.General Motors addressed this issue with 2 recalls (14V755 & 15V519) and a special coverage program (N172091910). In view of the recalls and special coverage program implemented by GM and the vehicle high beams continuing to operate, ODI has tentatively concluded that the actions taken by GM mitigate any unreasonable risk to safety posed by HDM failure in the subject vehicles.Accordingly, the investigation is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by new circumstances.The ODI reports cited above are available for review online at NHTSA.gov under the identification numbers in the attached document.

EA07009 · Fuel Pump Module Leaks Gasoline

Opened Jul 10, 2007 · Closed Aug 28, 2008

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

DURING THE COURSE OF THIS EA INVESTIGATION, ODI OBSERVED THAT THE MAJORITY OF THE COMPLAINTS (88%) AND WARRANTY CLAIMS (94%) WERE REPORTED FOR VEHICLES THAT ARE REGISTERED FOR USE IN THE SALT BELT REGION OF THE US.THIS AREA INCLUDES 20 STATES IN THE NORTHEAST, MID ATLANTIC AND THE MIDWEST REGIONS AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.CONSUMERS IN THE SALT BELT REGION REPORTED TO ODI THAT THEY COULD SMELL FUEL VAPORS IN THEIR VEHICLES WHILE DRIVING.UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION OF THEIR VEHICLES, THEY DISCOVERED THAT FUEL VAPORS WERE COMING OUT OF THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THIS CONDITION IS CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE RETURN AND SENDER LINES OF THE FUEL PUMP MODULE.WATER AND ROAD SALT COLLECT ON TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP LEADING TO SMALL PINHOLES APPEARING ON THE FUEL LINES.FUEL MAY LEAK AND COLLECT ON TOP OF THE MODULE AND/OR SPILL ONTO THE GROUND.THE DATA EVALUATED UNDER THIS INVESTIGATION REFLECT A RELATIVELY LOW FREQUENCY OF OCCURRENCE THAT LARGELY ARISES IN SALT BELT STATES.GM HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON THE SUBJECT COMPONENT TO TEN YEARS OR 120,000 MILES.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED AT THIS TIME; ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SELECT DOCUMENT SEARCH.

EA04021 · Brake Lamp Failure

Opened Aug 3, 2004 · Closed Nov 4, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

GM STATES THAT SOME BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULBS CAN PREMATURELY BECOME INOPERATIVE DUE TO MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE/TAIL LAMP SOCKETS.ON MARCH 2, 2004, GM INITIATED A 6-YEAR/72,000 MILE SPECIAL POLICY FOR 989,487 SUBJECT VEHICLES TO INSPECT AND REPLACE THE REAR BRAKE/TAIL LAMP BULB SOCKET ASSEMBLIES.ON APRIL 4, 2004, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION (PE04-032) BASED ON CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ALLEGING BRAKE LIGHTS NOT OPERATING WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.ON AUGUST 3, 2004 ODI UPGRADED PE04-032 TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA04-021).BY LETTER DATED OCTOBER 27, 2004 GM NOTIFIED NHTSA THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA # 04V527) COVERING SUBJECT VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT ALREADY REPAIRED UNDER GM'S SPECIAL POLICY.MY 2004 SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT AFTER AUGUST 8, 2003 CONTAIN IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLIES AND ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.GM DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE IMPROVED BRAKE LAMP ASSEMBLY ON SUBJECT VEHICLES BUILT ON AUGUST 8, 2003 AND EARLIER.THE ACTION TAKEN BY GM IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUES RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.

PE04032 · Brake Lamp Failure

Opened Apr 6, 2004 · Closed Aug 3, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights

THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002-04 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER VEHICLES.GM REPORTS THAT OTHER VEHICLES SHARING THIS PLATFORM AND BRAKE LAMP DESIGN ARE THE MY 2002-2004 CHEVROLET TRAILBLAZER EXT; GMC ENVOY, XL, XUV; OLDSMOBILE BRAVADA AND 2004 BUICK RAINIER.COMPLAINTS ALLEGE THAT THE REAR BRAKE LAMP DOES NOT OPERATE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED.THERE IS NO INDICATION TO THE DRIVER FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE THAT ONE OR MORE BRAKE LAMPS BULBS ARE NOT FUNCTIONING.GM FOUND THAT HEAT FROM THE BULB COULD DEFORM THE LAMP SOCKET, PRODUCE ELECTRICAL ARCING AND AN INOPERATIVE BULB.TO CORRECT THE CONDITION, GM CHANGED THE BULB TO A BULB THAT TRANSMITS LESS HEAT TO THE SOCKET AND CHANGED THE SOCKET TO A THERMOPLASTIC POLYMER TO IMPROVE THERMAL STABILITY.THESE CHANGES WERE IMPLEMENTED INTO PRODUCTION VEHICLES ON OCTOBER 1, 2003.GM IMPLEMENTED A SPECIAL POLICY BY NOTIFYING CONSUMERS THAT IF THEY SHOULD EXPERIENCE A BRAKE LAMP FAILURE TO GO TO THEIR GM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CIRCUIT BOARD CONTAINING THE BRAKE LAMP REPLACED ALONG WITH NEW BULBS.THIS POLICY IS GOOD FOR THE FIRST 6 YEARS OR 72,000 MILES OF THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE.ODI WILL UPGRADE THIS INVESTIGATION TO EA 04-021 AND INCLUDE THE ABOVE MENTIONED VEHICLES.